Secrets about the making of ‘Coming to America,’ 25 years later

coa, akeem and parents

Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America, one of the most iconic, funniest and beloved motion pictures in black American history, just celebrated it’s 25th birthday late last month.

Many believe that this romantic comedy represents Murphy’s greatest theatrical triumph even though Beverly Hills Cop was a greater box-office generator and his James “Thunder” Early from Dreamgirls earned him his only Academy Award nomination.


There are some questions about the flick that have rarely been asked or answered that would have doubtless altered the trajectory of Coming to America. For example, “Happy Days” icon Henry Winkler was originally cast to play the lead in Grease instead of John Travolta and Sylvester Stallone was Paramount’s choice to play the police officer in Beverly Hills Cop instead of Eddie Murphy. But can you even visualize or fathom such a thing today?coa, akeem and lisa


In the same light, we asked the following questions, such as:

Who was originally thought to play the role of King Jaffe Joffer, ruler of Zamunda?


What famous woman was thought to be the idea love interest of Murphy’s Akeem character?

How did the director of Coming to America first come to the consciousness of urban audiences?

Did the director and Murphy get along on the set of Coming to America?

For movie aficionados and trivia enthusiasts alike, we answer the following questions below.

Take a look at what you didn’t know about the making of Coming to America. Enjoy.

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